Islamic Jihad fires makeshift rockets into Israel

Palestinian militants have launched home-made rockets into southern Israel from Gaza Strip on Monday morning, in breach of a fragile ceasefire.

In a statement faxed to the press, al-Quds Brigades of the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks, saying the rocket attack "was part of natural response to the daily Israeli violations" in West Bank.

Israeli sources said no casualties or damage were registered.

Following the attack, Israeli troops stationed outside Gaza' northern border opened fire at Palestinian areas, moderately wounding a youth.

Israel and the Palestinians agreed to calmness in the Gaza Strip in late November. But the factions demand to extend the ceasefire to the West Bank was rejected by Israel, where raids and arrests of tens of people by the Israeli side occur on a daily basis.

Israel's official radio announced that the army had detained 21 Palestinians in the West Bank over the past night, adding that most of them were engaged in military acts.

Source: Xinhua